Yakona want to see this

By Rena Olson

The Yakona Nature Preserve, located just south of Newport, is a privately owned and beautifully restored area recently captured by local photographers Bill Posner and Rena Olson and commemorated in a new orchestral work by Dr. Sara Graef.

View the nature, wildlife and landscape of the area as seen by Posner and Olson at the new photography exhibit at Newport's Olive Street Gallery, inside the Newport Performing Arts Center, opening this Saturday, Jan. 7 and running through Sunday, Feb. 26.

The Newport Symphony Orchestra will perform the world premiere commissioned work by Graef at the center on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21 and 22. Both Posner and Olson will be on site during Saturday’s concert.

The two photographers offer a view through their lenses of wandering Yakona’s trails and hidden places, reverently sharing space with the area’s wildlife and allowing secrets of the native coastal fog-belt forest to be revealed.

Posner’s goal is to help the viewer to see through his eyes, experience what he feels and allow each individual’s imagination to extend it further. Olson invites viewers to join her on a journey of total immersion in the moment, leaving no trace but coming away with something more — the desire to preserve, respect and protect.

Exhibits at the Olive Street Gallery can be viewed Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, or while attending events and performances. The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.